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Mercedes-Benz has cashed out of Nissan, selling its 3.8% stake for €279.6 million ($307 million), raising fresh questions about the Japanese automaker’s future.
Nissan shares slid about 6% after the announcement, underscoring investor doubts about whether the company can bounce back. The carmaker is under pressure from falling sales in its two biggest markets, the U.S. and China, while also battling tariffs. It reported a quarterly loss of more than €460 million ($506 million) in June.
Now, Nissan is in talks with its union over job cuts at its European regional office in Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France, where about 560 people work. The office also oversees operations in Africa, the Middle East, India, and Oceania, meaning the shakeup could ripple beyond Europe. Negotiations are expected to wrap by October 20, with final details shared with staff in November.
To ease the blow, management and unions have agreed to first discuss voluntary departures before any forced layoffs.
Nissan employs nearly 19,000 people across Europe and nearby regions, with around 60% based in Europe. But the company’s sales there dropped 5.2% in the first half of 2025, shrinking its market share to just 2.5%, according to industry data.
The struggling automaker is betting on new models, including a revamped Micra, the electric Leaf crossover, a new Juke SUV, and a tiny city car based on the Renault Twingo, to turn things around.
Neither Nissan nor Mercedes offered fresh comments beyond confirming the sale.
